periphrases
Indirect wordy phrasings
Periphrases is the plural of periphrasis—a roundabout way of expressing something that could be said more directly.
The liquid that falls from the sky is a periphrasis for rain.
Writers use periphrases for euphemism, emphasis, or stylistic effect, though overuse produces bloated prose.
Restating in different terms
- restatementRewording of something said
- rephrasingRestating in other words
- clarificationMaking meaning plain
- elucidationAct of explaining clearly
explanation · amplification · expansion · elaboration · unpacking · spelling out · gloss · interpretation
Avoiding by moving aside
- sidesteppingMoving aside to avoid
- equivocationAmbiguous language avoiding commitment
- prevaricationMisleading speech avoiding directness
- obfuscationDeliberate concealment through confusion
avoidance · hedging · tergiversation · weaseling · waffling · deflection · elusiveness · vagueness
Circular junction for traffic
- indirectNot straight or immediate
- wordyUsing more language than necessary
- evasiveAvoiding direct response
- verboseMore words than necessary
long-winded · meandering · digressive · tangential · discursive · prolix · diffuse · rambling
Nonliteral expressive phrase
- stylisticRelating to artistic manner
- ornamentalFor beauty, not function
- literaryOf written works
- poeticOf or like verse
flowery · grandiloquent · bombastic · aureate · purple prose · elevated · formal · eloquent
Becoming less firm
- delicacyRefined sensitivity or rarity
- politenessCourteous, respectful conduct
- tactfulnessSkill in sensitive situations
- indirectionRoundabout method or approach
substitution · circumspection · propriety · sensitivity · passed away · let go · correctness · inoffensive
rewording
Restating in different terms
- restatementRewording of something said
- rephrasingRestating in other words
- clarificationMaking meaning plain
elucidation · explanation · amplification · expansion · elaboration · unpacking · spelling out · gloss · interpretation · rendering
dodging
Avoiding by moving aside
- sidesteppingMoving aside to avoid
- equivocationAmbiguous language avoiding commitment
- prevaricationMisleading speech avoiding directness
obfuscation · avoidance · hedging · tergiversation · weaseling · waffling · deflection · elusiveness · vagueness · ambiguity
roundabout
Circular junction for traffic
- indirectNot straight or immediate
- wordyUsing more language than necessary
- evasiveAvoiding direct response
verbose · long-winded · meandering · digressive · tangential · discursive · prolix · diffuse · rambling · circuitous
figure of speech
Nonliteral expressive phrase
- stylisticRelating to artistic manner
- ornamentalFor beauty, not function
- literaryOf written works
poetic · flowery · grandiloquent · bombastic · aureate · purple prose · elevated · formal · eloquent · orotund
softening
Becoming less firm
- delicacyRefined sensitivity or rarity
- politenessCourteous, respectful conduct
- tactfulnessSkill in sensitive situations
indirection · substitution · circumspection · propriety · sensitivity · passed away · let go · correctness · inoffensive · diplomatic
periphrasesplain speech
Unembellished verbal expression
bluntness · directness · straight talk · brevity · conciseness
periphrasestechnical terms
Specialized words within fields
proper nouns · jargon · nomenclature · designations · denotations